Burgundy Corn

Family: Poaceae Grain Vegetable

Planting Schedule

Provide your location or planting zone to unlock dates and add Burgundy Corn to a garden.

Velvety, wine-dark kernels—deep burgundy to near-plum—stand out in bold, sculptural rows, catching the light like polished garnet.

The ears develop with a firm, slightly glossy texture that holds its color beautifully, making Burgundy Corn a showpiece from garden to bouquet. Grow it for striking ornamental display and for statement dried arrangements that keep their dramatic hue long after harvest.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 80 DaysHabit: Upright

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Burgundy Corn Planting Dates by USDA Zone

Estimated US hardiness-zone windows for sow, transplant, and harvest. Enter a US ZIP above for exact local dates, or open a zone below.

Zone	Start Indoors	Sow / Transplant	Harvest
Zone 1a	Protected Environment Only
Zone 1b	Protected Environment Only
Zone 2a	Direct Sow	May 25th	Aug 13th – Aug 29th
Zone 2b	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 3rd – Aug 25th
Zone 3a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 3rd – Sep 1st
Zone 3b	Direct Sow	May 19th	Aug 7th – Sep 21st
Zone 4a	Direct Sow	May 15th	Aug 3rd – Sep 24th
Zone 4b	Direct Sow	May 13th	Aug 1st – Sep 27th
Zone 5a	Direct Sow	May 8th	Jul 27th – Sep 30th
Zone 5b	Direct Sow	May 4th	Jul 23rd – Oct 5th
Zone 6a	Direct Sow	May 1st	Jul 20th – Oct 10th
Zone 6b	Direct Sow	Apr 25th	Jul 14th – Oct 16th
Zone 7a	Direct Sow	Apr 20th	Jul 9th – Oct 20th
Zone 7b	Direct Sow	Apr 10th	Jun 29th – Oct 28th
Zone 8a	Direct Sow	Apr 1st	Jun 20th – Nov 5th
Zone 8b	Direct Sow	Mar 23rd	Jun 11th – Nov 12th
Zone 9a	Direct Sow	Mar 6th	May 25th – Nov 26th
Zone 9b	Direct Sow	Feb 9th	Apr 30th – Dec 9th
Zone 10a	Continuous Production
Zone 10b	Continuous Production
Zone 11a	Continuous Production
Zone 11b	Continuous Production
Zone 12a	Continuous Production
Zone 12b	Continuous Production
Zone 13a	Continuous Production
Zone 13b	Continuous Production

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	80
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	55
Min Night Temp (°F)	55
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

These wine-dark kernels cook like classic sweet corn but with a more toasted, almost caramel-grape character that really blooms when you hit them with high heat. Choose it for quick grilling or sautéing—heat helps the kernels turn from snappy to silky without losing their striking color.

Best Uses

butter-slick grilled corn where the kernels blister and sweeten
roasting or pan-searing for a deeper, caramelized kernel flavor
shaving fresh kernels into limey salads or slaws
baking into corn pudding or fritters for a purple-gold set

Flavor Profile

sweet corn with a darker, toasted-caramel edge tender, juicy kernels that go from snappy to custardy with heat slight nutty, grape-like undertone

Kitchen Pairings

lime smoked paprika butter cotija cheese chile-lime mayonnaise charred scallions

Frequently Asked Questions

My Burgundy corn leaves have small holes and silvery streaks—what pest is this and what should I do?

Those symptoms are typical of corn flea beetles, which chew tiny shot-holes that look worse as the plants are still small. Dust or spray with a labeled pyrethrin insecticide when you first see active beetles, and use floating row cover until plants are knee-high to keep them off. Because flea beetles hit early growth hardest, recheck daily for the first 2–3 weeks after emergence.

How often should I water Burgundy corn during the main growing phase?

From tassel to early milk (roughly mid-season to about 60–75 days), water deeply 1–2 times per week so the soil stays consistently moist 4–6 in down. Aim for about 1–1.5 in of water per week from rain plus irrigation, and avoid light, frequent watering that wets only the surface. If leaves start to curl and soil is dry when you dig 4 in, water immediately.

How can I tell when Burgundy corn is ready to harvest (80 days to maturity)?

Start checking around day 75–80 for ears with full kernels and silky tassel-to-silk timing of about 18–22 days after silks first appear. Press a kernel with your thumbnail—juice should be milky, not watery; if it’s still watery and pale, give 2–3 more days. Harvest the ear as soon as kernels look plump and the silk has browned and dried.